Review: Maddy's Towers by Inbal Alon

Maddy's Towers by Inbal Alon is a tender and sensitive story about friendship, forgiveness and resilience.

illustrated by Mandira Biswas 

Publisher: Purple Works Press

Publication date: 28th April 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

RRP: AU$21.51 (softcover Amazon)

Source: eCopy from the author

Maddy comes home from school upset, as her friend Mei had betrayed her trust. Mei had told their classmates Maddy's secret and everyone laughed at her.

Inbal Alon uses a block tower as a metaphor for trust. Maddy's mother explains to her that as Maddy and Mei's friendship grows blocks are added to the tower and when Mei told Maddy's secret the tower of trust was knocked down.

The next day at school Maddy approaches Mei with kindness and Mei acknowledges that she shouldn't have told Maddy's secret. Maddy asks Mei to sit with her at lunch. 

I loved how Maddy showed great forgiveness qualities however I do think Mei could have actually said she was sorry. (There is scope for discussion there).

It was now up to Maddy and Mei to start building the tower of trust again, through acts of kindness, building one block at a time.

I liked that Inbal Alon shows that friendships sometimes have rough periods and it is nice to give someone a second chance. The story also opens the opportunity for talk on resilience and thinking how you would feel if everyone was laughing at you.

There is also scope for discussion on empathy and what you can do to speak up if everyone is laughing at someone else.

Mandira Biswas' illustrations are endearing and give off a calming vibe that match the overall theme of friendship building.

Maddy's Towers is a simple story that opens up a wide area of discussion with young children.

The book's end pages have ideas to prompt talk about trust and feelings and a card making activity.

My rating 5 / 5 🧊🧊🧊🧊🧊

Recommended age: 5 - 10 years

#maddystowers #inbalalon #childrenspicturebook #kidsbooksontrust #booksonfriendship #ausbookbloggers #kidsbookswelove #littlesquirrelsbookshelf

Mailbox Monday - 11th May 2026

 

MAILBOX MONDAY

On Mondays I will be posting the new books I have received for review, won and purchased over the previous week / month.

Books for review:

Bella Grows a Bicycle by Lellie Lopter

Published by Five Mile Press

on 1st June 2026

About the book:

Bella wants a bicycle - 

But he birthday is months away!

When dad gives her a tiny seed, he sparks

an adventure that grows bigger every day.

From one small seed to one big dream,

Bella learns that the greatest things start small.

Our Family Zoo by Maura Pierlot

Published by Scholastic 

on 1st June 2026

About the book:

In a home bursting with animals, 

there’s always room for one more. 

 

But who will it be? 

What’s the perfect pet for a home already filled with lots and lots of fun and energetic animals? The biggest and best surprise is just around the corner ...

Belong by Sharon Seymour

Published by Westwords

on 1st April 2026

About the book:

A story about finding friends and fitting in. 

A gentle tale about how to belong.

#bellagrowsabicycle #ourfamilyzoo #belong #aussieauthor #reviewbooks #newrelease #picturebooks #ausbookbloggers #bookmail #2026releases 

Review: The Fast Lane by Pip Harry

Right from the title page of The Fast Lane kids will love the extremely cute Daisy the pig as she is pictured in the middle of an extravagant dive; arms outstretched, goggles on, head up and a big smile on her face.

 illustrated by Katrin Dreiling

Publisher: Larrikin House

Publication date: 28th April 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Daisy loved to swim. Everyday she swam 100 laps. She always swam in the fast lane. This was her lane, until one morning Frank the Frog splashes in front of her. Frank assures Daisy there is plenty of room for both of them but Daisy doesn't want to share the fast lane.

Daisy was all about being the fastest and when Frank started slowing her down by using the fast lane Daisy was angry. Her anger overtook her enjoyment until she got to know Frank better and he showed her how to have fun at the pool too.

Daisy still likes the fast lane but now she also takes time to have fun, join the picnic and play in the splash pool.

The Fast Lane is such an endearing story. Daisy is all business, training everyday, until she finds that it's okay to stop and have some fun.

The Fast Lane is a charming story that is perfect for children that are all go, go, go. It tells overachievers, in a fun way, that it is okay to simply stop and have some fun.

The story is filled with humour and delight. The underlying message is subtle.

Katrin Dreiling's cartoon style illustrations are simply gorgeous; muted colours that bring the pool and outdoor settings to life. Frank's antics through the illustrations alone will have children laughing.

I love how the illustrations tell a story of their own. Very young children like to open a book and tell stories long before they can actually read and this cute book is perfect for those situations.

I think Frank the Frog needs a book all of his own.

The Fast Lane is my first picture book by Pip Harry and I'll be searching out more of her work.

My rating 4.5 / 5 🐖🐖🐖🐖

Recommended age: 3+ years

#thefastlane #pipharry #katrindreilingillustrations #childrenspicturebook #aussieauthor #ausbookbloggers #kidsbookswelove #littlesquirrelsbookshelf

Review: My Spinning Anxious Brain by Dani Vee

I love the cover of My Spinning Anxious Brain. The foiled title text grabs your attention. Then the fireworks, clouds and stars all spinning around, make me dizzy just looking at them. It really is an apt picture of a brain that is trying to process everything.

illustrated by Ruth-Mary Smith

Publisher: Larrikin House

Publication date: 31st March 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

My Spinning Anxious Brain is an endearing story aimed at alleviating the stress of the overthinking child.

Anxious children will resonate with our young narrator as he explains the things that make him anxious and how this makes him feel. The story blends in coping strategies such as talking about how you feel with someone you trust, practicing grounding and being prepared for the day ahead.

Dani Vee champions courage, calmness, finding joy and forward planning to manage anxiety.

My Spinning Anxious Brain is a beautiful story told with compassion and moments of humour. It gives carers the opportunity to open conversations with children to better understand themselves and others.

Beautiful big bold cartoon style illustrations show our young narrator and his family as they help  manage his anxiety. The illustrations are filled with smiles and fun showing children that, if managed well and with help, anxiety need not rule your life.

My Spinning Anxious Brain is a positive story that encourages children to accept and love who they are.

My rating 5 / 5 🎆🚀🌠🎆🚀

Recommended age: 3+ years

#myspinninganxiousbrain #danivee #ruthmarysmithillustrations #childrenspicturebooks #kidsbookswelove #larrikinhouse #australianauthor #ausbookbloggers #littlesquirrelsbookshelf 

Review: Inclusion by Zanni Louise

Handbooks for Little Humans: Inclusion by Zanni Louise is part of a series to help open conversations between children and carers about things that matter most. 

Inclusion is a wonderful book written on a child's level to discuss the importance of inclusion in all areas of their life.

illustrated by Jingting Wang

Publisher: Affirm Press

Publication date: 24th February 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 24

RRP: AU$19.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Handbooks for Little Humans: Inclusion is a book to spark conversations, big and small; conversations on empathy, placing yourself in other people's situation and acting with kindness.

The story explains the concept of inclusion in simple words giving examples of times children may have been inclusive and not realised it. The story opens up conversations about when you have been inclusive and also when you have felt excluded and how that made you feel.

"When we're inclusive, we do our best to make everyone feel welcome, no matter who they are."

Everyone is different and that's a good thing we can listen and learn from each other and sometimes we may get it wrong but that's okay too. We can only do our best and try to grow with kindness.

Illustrations by Jingting Wang present the topic in a fun way with cartoon style pictures in bright colours.

I love the bright, splashy colours of the cover and that each new book in the series has a different colour making the collection bright and fun.

Handbooks for Little Humans: Inclusion is a fun book, thought provoking and easy to read.

Zanni Louise has, and is bringing out more books in the series with topics on compassion, integrity, fairness, confidence and friendship.

Handbooks for Little Humans will be a valuable resource, not only, for school libraries but home libraries as well.

My rating 5 /5 💜💜💜💜💜

Recommended age: 4 - 8 years

#handbooksforlittlehumansinclusion #childrensbooksoninclusion #zannilouise #earlylearning #jingtingwangillustrations #childrenspicturebook 

Review: Saving Shark Pup by Sharon Dalgleish

We are currently loving reading true stories at Little Squirrel's Bookshelf. They showcase how amazing and fascinating the world around us can be.

Saving Shark Pup is the incredible true story of a great white shark pup washed up on Manly Beach and how the local community rushed to its rescue.

illustrated by Amandine Thomas

Publisher: Allen & Unwin 

Publication date: 3rd February 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book / Non Fiction

Pages: 32

RRP: $24.99AU

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Shark Pup is swirled and tossed in the surf and ends up beached on the shore. Many people come to help. He is battered and disoriented and is taken to an ocean pool. Shark Pup's fin begins to droop. Will Shark Pup survive his night away from the deep ocean he knows? (spoiler: he does)

Children will be entranced as the suspense rises and everyone jumps into action to save Shark Pup. As the pages turn and Shark Pup's life hangs in the balance we see the wonderful people who dedicate their life to studying and saving our precious sea life.

Interesting facts are dispersed throughout the story making Saving Shark Pup a story that grows with your child and can be read over and over.

Saving Shark Pup is the perfect book for children who love sharks and whales and are fascinated by facts.

Amandine Thomas' illustrations bring the story to life in full double page spreads with cool blues and greens of the ocean and the yellows and oranges of the beach and sand.

Saving Shark Pup is an emotional and uplifting story about people working together that will be a treasured read for years to come.

My rating 5/ 5 🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈

Recommended age: 4 - 8 years

#savingsharkpup #sharondalgleish #amandinethomas #childrenspicturebook #nonfictionforchildren #truestories #environmentalbooksforkids #kidsbookswelove #booksonnature

Review: The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks by Fiona Harris

The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks is a fun, relatable story that will be loved by any young tween just trying to fit in.

Gracie was one of the cool girls in year 6 but she's starting at a different high school to all her friends. A school where no one will know her. But, she has a plan; make friends with the cool girls, join the school band and soon she will be just as popular as her older sister Imogen.

Gracie is such a wonderful character. She is basically a kind and thoughtful girl and a bit geeky. I could understand why she wanted to be in the cool group, doesn't everyone!

Follow along, through Gracie's diary entries as she fumbles her way through, old friendships, new friendships, mean girls and bullying to finally realising that just being yourself and broadening your horizons is all you need to make the best sorts of friends.

Gracie's mother had died in a car accident and even though she did miss her and it was integrated into the story it wasn't solely focused on this sad event. 

I liked the addition of the school library as a safe haven and a place where she could connect with her mother.

Lots of fascinating information on horoscopes may have some young readers searching for more information on astrology and star signs.

I loved that Gracie and her grandparents were so close and when things were at a low she had somewhere to go for unconditional love and praise. I laughed at all Gracie's funny sayings that she got straight from her grandparents.

The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks is a humorous and heartfelt story about growing up and not knowing where you fit in anymore. It's about finding your place in a new environment, building resilience and trying to remember that other people may have bad things happening in their life that you don't know about. It holds a subtle message about always being kind.

I laughed all the way through and even got a little teary at the end. Gracie is funny, a little awkward and always thoughtful. She's a character who will stay in the hearts of many readers.

My rating 5/ 5 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Recommended age: 9 - 12 years

Publisher: Affirm Press

Publication date: 31st march 2026

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 338

RRP: $16.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#theembarrassingconfessionsofgraciesparks #fionaharris #middlegradefiction #humour #aussieauthor #ausbookbloggers #kidsbookswelove